STUDENT LANGUAGE SCALE

SCREENER for Language & Literacy Disorders

What is it?

The Student Language Scale (SLS) reliably screens students ages 6–18 years for language/literacy disorders, including dyslexia. Filled out by parents, teachers, and students, the screener is a quick, cost-effective way to see how students are performing on academic tasks as compared to their same-age peers.

What are the purposes of the SLS?

• Screen for language/literacy disorders, including dyslexia, by gathering teachers’ and parents’ ratings of students
• Gather input about a struggling student’s strengths and needs from multiple sources
• Enhance home–school communication by gaining new insight into the student’s performance and the teachers‘, parents’, and student’s perspectives on it, whether or not everyone agrees and whether or not there are concerns

At-A-Glance

What is the age range?
Ages 6 through 18 years old

How many questions are on the screener?
12 questions

In what setting is it used?
School settings: Preschool through grade 12

How do you score the screener?
When teachers or parents rate more than two areas on Items 1–8 as less than 5, SLS screening results indicate the student is at risk and needs further assessment.

Who completes it?
Parents, teachers, and students

What is the evidence base?
Sensitivity and specificity are strong: sensitivity is .90 for teachers and .85 for parents, and specificity is .90 for teachers and .83 for parents.

How is it administered?
Teachers, parents, and students complete the SLS.